At Risk Groups

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at any age. Certain individuals are “high risk” and should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get influenza-like symptoms this season. They include:

Children ages 6 months to 24 years (especially children under the age of 2 years old)

People 65 and older

Pregnant women

People with any chronic medical conditions that may increase risk of complications from influenza-like symptoms (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)

Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.

What are the emergency warning signs?

There are emergency warning signs. Anyone who has them should get medical care right away.

In children:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish skin color

Not drinking enough fluids

Not waking up or not interacting

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Fever with a rash

In adults:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.